Unti Peter Robinson #22 by Peter Robinson

removal van and that text he sent,” said Banks. “And we’d also better look into who owns the aerodrome property. Does Morgan Spencer have a record?”
    â€œNo,” said Annie. “He’s clean as far as we’re concerned.”
    Banks glanced toward Winsome. “Did you follow up on what Gilchrist told you about the lorries, get anything more, any confirmation?”
    â€œNot yet, sir. We’ve still got officers out asking questions in the general area. Maybe someone else noticed these lorries, too. Though Mr. Gilchrist did say it was only three or four times in the past year or so.”
    â€œIf our thieves were using the hangar as part of a route for getting stolen farm equipment out of the country, or even across it, they would probably only have needed it for larger items, like tractors and combines. As far as I know, they’d slaughter any stolen livestock locally and dispose of it here through illegal channels. Dodgy butchers. Abattoirs that don’t ask too many questions. Quickly. Rustlers aren’t in the business of grazing stolen sheep and cattle. And the airfield and hangar were ideal for large transfers. After all, the place was padlocked and signposted private. It looked official, even though it was neglected. ­People would most likely assume that whoever ran the lorries in and out were the owners, using it for legitimate business, or at least had official permission to be there. We could be onto something here.”
    â€œIt’s possible.”
    â€œHave another word with this Terry Gilchrist, Winsome. Could he be involved? After all, he is ex-­army, and he did find the bloodstains.”
    â€œHis dog did,” Winsome said. “I don’t really see why he’d follow it under a chain-­link fence in his condition, with the weather the way it was, and then phone us if he was responsible for it in the first place. Do you, sir?”
    â€œPerhaps not, when you put it like that, but we have to consider the possibility.”
    â€œWithout Gilchrist and his dog, the crime scene could have gone unobserved for days, or weeks.”
    â€œTrue,” Banks agreed. “Unless one of the lorry drivers noticed.”
    â€œBut if they had something to do with the blood,” Winsome argued, “then they’d hardly report it, would they, sir?”
    â€œBut Gilchrist does have a military background, doesn’t he?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œSo he’s no doubt conversant with ways of killing?”
    â€œI suppose so.”
    â€œAnd military operations and criminal operations have several features in common, including a certain level of organization. He also knows the area well. It shouldn’t be too hard to track down his military records. You say he was injured in action?”
    â€œYes, sir. In Afghanistan. His legs.”
    â€œBut he’s still mobile?”
    â€œI’d say he’s pretty nifty on his pins, sir, yes.”
    Banks smiled. “ ‘Nifty on his pins.’ I like that.” He turned to DC Masterson. “Gerry, can you see about tracking down Terry Gilchrist’s military record? You know the sort of thing, any suspicions he was up to anything illegal while he was serving, black market activities, looting, whatever. And while you’re at it, have a look into John Beddoes’s finances. As Annie said, we can’t rule out insurance fraud.”
    â€œYes, sir,” said Gerry, scribbling fast on her pad.
    â€œAnd we’ll need to know exactly who owns the abandoned airfield.”
    â€œConsider it done, sir.”
    â€œExcellent. Stefan, do you have anything for us? Tire tracks?”
    â€œWe’re still working the scene,” Nowak said, “but there’s not much chance of tire tracks on the concrete. From the mess they trailed in, though, I’d say there could have been two or three vehicles at the scene, but I can’t say when or what they